Rescue Me: Beatrice The Cat Is A Looker Who Detested The Shelter

FREDERICKSBURG, VA —Beatrice is a cat available for adoption through the Fredericksburg SPCA. She has been in the shelter's care since March, and her adoption fee is waived through Sunday.

After a tough time at the shelter, Beatrice began to come out of her shell in a foster home.

"This gal unequivocally detested her time at the shelter and was known as the 'behind the Kuranda gremlin' who was heard hissing at passersby but never seen," the SPCA said. "Staff was not sure if Beatrice was scared or if she was undersocialized and we wanted to give her the best chance to show us who she was in a home, away from the chaos and noise of a communal shelter environment."

Within a week at her foster home, Beatrice made great strides. She hid for the first few days, until she realized that her foster parent was the one leaving treats out for her.

"By day 6, Beatrice was accepting head, cheek, and ear scratches," the SPCA said. "Eventually, Beatrice's gremlin hisses turned into sweet meowing vocalizations and soft, slow blinks. She now greets her foster happily at the door for full-body pets."

Now, Beatrice plays in the bathtub, watches birds, and talks with anyone who will listen.

"Beatrice would make a great companion for someone who respects the process of saving a shelter animal's life," the SPCA said. "Giving your newly adopted pet a decompression period to let their true selves shine is imperative to a lasting bond. We are so grateful to Beatrice's foster for giving her a chance to blossom."

More information about Beatrice and other adoptable cats and dogs is available on the SPCA's website.